Andy's Sunday tips - Birmingham will win
Birmingham are second favourites to join West Ham in the Championship but our top tipster Andy Gray is predicting that they will triumph at Tottenham to prolong their stay in the Premier League...
Manchester United v Blackpool
They're calling it Survival Sunday but for Manchester United and their fans, the final Premier League game of the season is all about celebrations.
The last place you would want to be going to on the final day, fighting for your survival, is Old Trafford to face a Manchester United side that has won 17 of their 18 homes games this season. That is a frighteningly good record and a terrifying prospect for the visitors.
I fear for the Seasiders but let's look at the positives for them because that's what Ian Holloway will be doing. First of all, Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to field a weakened team. Secondly, their players and fans will be in party mood and thirdly, they will have half an eye on next week's Champions League Final.
Of course, those factors can be turned on their head: the last time Fergie put out a weakened team they thumped Schalke 4-1, home fans will expect their team to celebrate the title with a win and players will be keen to play their way into Sir Alex's Wembley thoughts. Still, Blackpool have to be positive if they're to avoid the drop.
I'm afraid I can't see it. Blackpool have been terrific for the Premier League this season: they've played in the aesthetically-pleasing style that Holloway believes in and they've entertained their own fans and the neutrals.
If they do go down, which I'm backing, they will be very strong in the Championship and would be my tip to bounce right back next season. The club is in good shape, they don't have to sell and the players will have all benefited from their Premier League experience.
Goals are one of the things that have got people excited about Blackpool this season and I'm backing them to score at Old Trafford. Perhaps Charlie Adam will be successful from a set-piece or DJ Campbell will trouble a rookie Red Devils defence. There should be something for the away support to celebrate here.
Recommended Bets:
Back Manchester United to win 3-1 at [13.0]
Back both teams to score at [1.62]
Back over 3.5 goals at [2.56]
Tottenham v Birmingham
Has this been a successful season for Tottenham? It's hard to say. Will it be regarded as one for Birmingham if they are relegated after winning the Carling Cup? Probably not.
Spurs pulled off a big shock last weekend by winning at Anfield while Birmingham were poor in defeat at home to a Fulham side that are no great shakes on the road. Now this one is poised to be a defining fixture on Survival Sunday.
Harry Redknapp would have liked his team to kick on from last year's fourth place but, while there have been terrific occasions at White Hart Lane this term, the campaign has petered out with failure to qualify for the Champions League following that humbling at the hands of Real Madrid.
There's a feeling amongst some Spurs fans that they'd rather not qualify for the Europa League and instead focus on finishing in the top four next year. I don't buy that; the Europa may not be everyone's cup of tea but, for me, players can never gain too much European experience and it's a competition Harry's men enter with a realistic chance of winning.
Birmingham have been woeful for the last few months: they've really missed central defender Scott Dann and have conceded too many goals. I like Alex McLeish and I think he's a good manager. I also think that there will be one upset on the final day and I've a feeling that it might occur here.
Yes, I'm going to stick my neck out and back the Blues to save their skin with a shock win at the Lane. They'll keep it tight, Alex will set them up to stifle Spurs' midfield creativity, attack on the break and pack the opposition penalty area at set pieces.
We won't see many goals but Craig Gardner has grabbed a couple of important ones this season and I fancy a flutter on him to get the one that keeps Birmingham in the Premier League for another season.
Recommended Bets:
Back Birmingham to win at [6.8]
Back Birmingham to win 1-0 at [23.0]
Back Craig Gardner to score
Stoke v Wigan
After condemning West Ham to Championship football last week, Wigan go to the Britannia Stadium fighting for their own survival.
It will take another mammoth performance if Roberto Martinez's men are to win this one but that's been their problem this season; they've recorded decent wins - away to Tottenham, Blackpool and last week's comeback at West Ham - and then reverted to their old rickety ways the following week.
Stoke were flat in their midweek defeat to Manchester City, following an FA Cup Final loss to same team, but Tony Pulis will want to send their home fans away with a victory on Sunday. He certainly won't fancy ending with three consecutive defeats.
The question is, which Wigan will turn up? I'm afraid I don't have the answer - that's football - but I believe part of their problem is that Martinez has assembled a squad of talented individuals who don't always function as a team. They are also a little loose at the back and their poor defensive record speaks for itself.
Stoke can exploit those frailties with their long throw-ins and aerial dominance at free kicks and corners. For the first 45 minutes at least, Wigan, like Blackpool at Old Trafford, have to go for it. They may have some luck in attack but it will leave them vulnerable at the back and I can certainly see both teams scoring.
In fact, I fancy a goalfest in which the home side will ultimately prevail and the visitors will return to the second tier after six years in the Premier League. If Blackpool go as well, which I believe they will, then it will be a sad day for Lancastrian football.
Recommended Bets:
Back Stoke to win at [2.96]
Back Stoke to win 3-2 at [36.0]
Back over 3.5 goals at [3.5]
Andy's predictions for Sunday's non-televised encounters...
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Kenny Dalglish has done a terrific job in turning around Liverpool's fortunes and last week's defeat takes none of the gloss off that. Villa have endured a torrid campaign by their standards but I predict a share of the spoils here.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.5]; 1-1 at [7.4]
Bolton v Manchester City
It's been a good season for Bolton but Manchester City are ending on a high and I expect that to continue at the Reebok.
Recommended Bets: Back Manchester City to win at [1.74]; 1-2 at [9.2]
Everton v Chelsea
Everton have already knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup this season and I believe that my old club might sign off this season with a memorable win on Sunday.
Recommended Bets: Back Everton to win at [3.5]; 2-1 at [12.5]
Fulham v Arsenal
Mark Hughes is starting to make real progress at Fulham and if they manage to finish in eighth that will be a decent first season achievement. Arsenal have only themselves to blame for the way their season has fizzled out.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.8]; 2-2 at [15.5]
Newcastle v West Brom
Roy Hodgson was appointed to save the Baggies from relegation and now they stand on the verge of a top-ten finish. I think they can end with a win at St James' Park.
Recommended Bets: Back West Brom to win at [3.95]; 1-2 at [13.0]
West Ham v Sunderland
Upton Park will certainly not be the place to be when, at the end of another turbulent week, relegated West Ham take on struggling Sunderland.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.65]; 1-1 at [8.0]
Wolves v Blackburn
Both these teams are only a point from the relegation zone going into the final day. I think they will be safe though and I'm backing Mick McCarthy's men to win, while Blackburn rely on results elsewhere to ensure their survival.
Recommended Bets: Back Wolves to win at [2.22]; 1-0 at [10.0]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 20 May 2011
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